SEASONS GREETINGS. President s Report

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1 December 2017 SEASONS GREETINGS President s Report I decided to shock the hard-working and enthusiastic Newsletter Editor, Bill Dalgarno, by beating him to it before he reminded me for my script. My reason was because Marylyn and I have just finished attending an outstanding weekend of education and interest organised by The Moray Society in Elgin. Forgotten, Hidden & Lost: unearthing Moray s archaeology achieved that and more. We attended an excellent day of lectures and discussion at UHI Moray College. We found it to be most interesting. We learned even more about the area we live in and are now fired up to explore more ourselves. We started off with commercial archaeology which explained how developments now fund such work. Excavations at Forres, Macallan and Lesmurdie were described and clearly showed how much more work is being done

2 thanks to the insistence of planners that we must explore the ground before it is developed. We then heard about Cluny Hill, the Picts and Iron Age and Roman objects. Also fascinating. The final session covered burnt down roundhouses, the work in the Forestry Commission and again iron in Iron Age Moray. With a final flourish of the caves and coast of Covesea. The final session was chaired by Fraser Hunter of the National Museums of Scotland and an old friend of many of us in Elgin. I am heartened by the co-operation we have at all levels with NMS. Sunday was fresh air and exercise day. The weather stayed kind until a hailstone or two in the afternoon. The subjects in Elgin Cathedral were Pictish stones, glass and conservation of stones. They were really interesting. I now feel that after a mere 70 years I do know a bit more about The Lantern of The North! We then had a tour around Elgin. Once again, more detail to learn and see. And we made it to the top of Ladyhill so tick that exercise box. But if I learnt one more thing it is go around Elgin looking upwards at our architecture. These two days involved many of our stalwart volunteers. It is getting to the end of the season and many will get a well-earned rest but, if you are so minded, there is still much work to be done in the museum. Speak to the enthusiastic Heather who has helped us so much this year. However, this highlight of Elgin Museum s support for the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology could not have happened without the huge effort of Janet Trythall and Claire Herbert, who have worked tirelessly to achieve the success we enjoyed over the weekend. We thank them both sincerely. I am delighted to report that we have been most fortunate in receiving a very generous donation from a local family, who wish to remain anonymous. This will secure our future for some more years and allow us to consider other improvements to the Museum. This has been heartening news to the Board. It has been a busy summer and the local papers will have told you much about it. There will be more in this newsletter. We also have a varied and interesting winter programme. Do cast an eye over the lectures and events details When you see scaffolding going up around the museum building, worry not. This is part of improvements and renovations where we have joined with the CARS scheme and Moray LEADER to carry out much needed work which will secure the property for some years to come. We will be back in good shape for On behalf of the Board I want to thank all our volunteers and friends for helping us make 2017 such a successful year. Best wishes for Christmas and New Year! Grenville S Johnston Hon President Late News. David Marquardt It is with great regret that I have to report the loss of our friend and volunteer, David Marquardt, Moray Society Archaeological Representative (pictured at a Museum event with wife, Linda) who sadly died after a short illness on the 18 th of November; our thoughts are with Linda and his family at this difficult time. Bill Dalgarno, Editor

3 MUSEUM ASSISTANT UPDATE Birnie Hoard In October, Craig Angus, from National Museums Scotland came to remove the two hoards of Roman silver denarii from Birnie to contribute towards a major new temporary exhibition at NMS on Scotland s Early Silver take a trip to Edinburgh to see this first class exhibition before February 2018 if you can. Craig Angus, NMS packing one of the Birnie pots prior to transportation Treasure Trove Acquisitions We have been successful in bidding for a number of recent archaeological finds: TT01/17 - Medieval Lead Alloy Pilgrim Badge found at Elgin, Moray Both the shape, and means of attachment are unusual. The rear of the badge has a single oval loop for attachment to clothing and the front shows a crowned figure holding an infant (the Virgin and Child). The background appears to be either a cityscape or throne. The badge is unusual compared to other examples, and rather than a pilgrim badge, it may be a more general religious symbol. The badge may date to the th centuries. TT69/17 - Medieval Key found at Lhanbryde, Moray Cast copper alloy key with some damage to the shank. The bow has what may be a vestigial zoomorphic form and has a heavy collar, integrally cast. The size and ornate nature of this key suggests use for a large casket or chest belonging to someone of elite status in the medieval period. Few keys of this type, have been found in Scotland. TT102/17 - Metal Detector Assemblage found at Cummingston, Moray Assemblage consisting of a Buckle, Pottery, Whorl and Lithics from Gallows Hill, Cummingston. The type of objects suggest this may be another productive site (Clarkly Hill is only approximately ¼ mile away) that will yield large quantities of medieval and later finds. The medieval buckle is of particular note in that it may indicate middening activity and home-made lead objects of types that often turn up on a site of this nature. TT103/17 - Metal Detector Assemblage found at Spynie, Moray Small assemblage consisting of a buckle, bale, seal and mount from the fields surrounding Spynie Palace, Elgin. Numerous earlier finds from the same area have been successfully acquired by Elgin Museum, with assistance from NFA. The copper alloy annular buckle is of particular note, dating to the 14 th and 15 th century; unusual in design, it will complement Elgin Museum s collection of buckles from around Moray. The 17 th century belt mount and

4 variety of lead finds compare well with other finds from the same site, in addition to, for example, a group of 17 th century munitions. Some of the recent finds to go to Treasure Trove for Assessment Art Exhibitions I am pleased to report a relatively successful year for Art Exhibitions at Elgin Museum, an important source of revenue to us, raising 866 towards unrestricted funds. Artists included Ruth Black, James Byatt, Annette Purdie, Lisa Shaw and Aileen Neillie. Our final artist for this year, Aileen Neillie We are delighted and extremely grateful that volunteer Irene Lukkarinen is taking over the organising of art exhibitions. She has already completed the programme for 2018 and it is hoped that these exhibitions will prove attractive to visitors.

5 Pinny Neill of LDN Architects investigating the roof space as part of our external renovations Donations to the Collection This is a feature that I would like to introduce in memory of the regular Northern Scot entries Museum curators used to submit, and that make easy reading today. I hope in years to come others will be interested to read of highlighted donations in Many of you will be familiar, if not fond of the character John Shanks, a cobbler who famously tidied up the Cathedral and who was awarded with a beautifully engraved silver snuff box for his efforts. The museum has the snuff box on permanent display, along with a plaster cast model and fine oil painting of the man himself. The snuff box was made by goldsmith, silversmith and watchmaker, William Stephen Ferguson, also a Burgess, Freeman and Bailie of Elgin. Thanks are due to William Ferguson s great great grandson, for we now own an oil painting of the gold/silversmith and another of his wife, Margaret (nee Stewart). I am reliably informed that there are only 4 known paintings of goldsmiths in Scotland (and none from Elgin) and it is extremely rare to have a painting of the wife; we owe our thanks to Mr Stuart Lynch for this kind donation. Stuart Lynch with his ancestors One of our volunteers has donated a spinning wheel which was found under rotting floorboards of a small derelict cottage in the Braes of Glenlivet many years ago we would like to swap the newly donated spindle with the one we have on loan in the People and

6 Place main gallery exhibition from NMS. The purpose of the People and Place exhibition has always been to highlight 1,000 years of Moray history, and whilst the spindle was found in Banffshire. It s last owner was a renowned Veterinarian from Keith. We accepted a donation of two cotton nurses uniforms for Dr Gray s Hospital, Elgin circa 1950 which were owned by Nurse and Midwife Ena Bessant, along with a hospital badge, certificates, and ward chart. A Moray gentleman thought of us when he wanted to preserve an 1865 to 1867 ledger from Newmill Iron Works, Elgin. In January we received a collection of ephemera relating to David Munro, born circa 1890s in Barrie, Carnoustie, the middle of 3 sons; he joined the forces, underage, during World War I. When he went home to Barrie, the Laird assigned all 3 brothers to work as trainee rubber planters with the Dutch East India Company. He was sent to a camp in Sumatra where he remained working deep in the jungle of a rubber plantation until the Japanese invaded during World War II. He was taken captive and as a civilian P.O.W. was treated worse that his native Scots who were in active service. His younger brother William was working in the office and managed to escape with the wives and children to Australia as refugees but his eldest brother Arthur was captured and remained POWs until liberated at the end of World War II. A lot of items belonging to Britons were buried before the Japanese invaded, including the items donated to Elgin Museum, including a pewter humidor, cigarette box and a New Testament bible. Where does Elgin fit into the picture? Well, between working on the rubber plantation, David had married Elsie Mackie from Elgin; Elsie was one of the first women in Elgin to be allowed to join the A.T.S., having trained as a shorthand typist. It took them 6 years to get married because they had to save up enough money. Elsie s father was a Policeman with Elgin Constabulary; his beat was in Elgin, Garmouth, Fochabers and Burghead. Later, David and Elsie retired to King Street, Elgin. The donor s husband used to spend his holidays with his Grandparents and at age 15, his whole family moved to live at 3 King Street where Charles attended Elgin Academy. Other of Charles items were also donated along with a whole set of other interesting stories for another day. Education and Outreach Worker It has been a busy 7-8 months without Di Hannan but enormous thanks to Mary Shand and Claire Herbert, who stepped in and provided numerous activities for children throughout the year, with good feedback from families. We have had to turn down a number of outreach visits to school and in-house facilitated sessions due to the absence of Di. Thanks are due to Sara Marsh and Roger Pendergast for organising the school s Incorporated Trades competition. Egyptian drop in session

7 Spooky stories at the Spooktacular Claire ready for the Day of the Dead Insurance Valuations and Research Updating out Insurance policy has proved to be a large piece of work as many of the valuations we have date from 1978 and further research and fashions in collecting has changed since then. We have had a number of experts examining our various collections over the last two years and it is clear that our Non-British, particularly Eastern collections will need further expert evaluation in order to submit accurate information and valuations to our insurance company. We hope that this process will add to our knowledge of the collection of more than 36,000 items but will also decrease out annual insurance premium which currently costs more than my annual salary! A Persian Dagger from the Collection

8 Loans We were able to loan a model of The Scotia, to the Garmouth and Kingston Heritage Trust for an exhibition in the Village Hall. The original ship was built by William Kinloch of Garmouth (B1835, D1911); the model was thought to have been made by Captain Ritchie in Training / Workshops In November I was privileged to be able to attend the National Training Programme on an Introduction to the Interpretation of Early Medieval Scotland, particularly from an archaeological collections perspective. The workshop was hosted by Dr Martin Goldberg, Principal Curator of Medieval Archaeology and History and Archaeology Department with a personal tour of the NMS Scotland s Early Silver exhibition. It provided a useful insight into the changing terminology of time periods with fresh research and how political and social climates can impact on the theme of new displays. For example, the principal of the Viking Age was used by Montelius in 1873 when working on Scandinavian collections. Today, many people still believe that all Vikings were warriors, wearing horned helmets but this idea actually only gained popularity due to theatrical operatic costumes during the Victorian era and later captured in the Asterix comic strips it is not at all based on archaeological evidence from the time. The first time that National Museums used the term Viking was to describe a time period, and not a people, referring to the Northmen of the later Iron Age and Scandinavian archaeological finds. Heather visits The Birnie Hoard on display at Scotland s Early Silver exhibition at NMS

9 Winter Work - Behind the Scenes with the Collection We said goodbye to volunteer Milan Ardis in March as she joined her family in Wiltshire I have very much missed her dry humour and sublime handwriting ever since. Work continues at full throttle this winter; amidst leaking roofs and wasp nests, Robert Wallen and myself have cleared the left hand side of the East Store in order to install more substantial racking that will hold our ever expanding archives. It is hoped that this volunteer led project will be completed in time for opening (well, frankly, it has to), and I will provide you with an update of progress thereafter. East Store following the removal of its Victorian shelving Of our more than 40 volunteers, 27 were able to attend this year s Thank You party. Volunteers Thank You Party. Heather Townsend Museum Assistant

10 Geology group Autumn report We ve had a very busy few months with the group partaking in a variety of events. Firstly we must sadly announce the death of Aberdeen University Emeritus Professor, Nigel Trewin who has greatly helped the museum over the years both with our fossil collection and also hosting geology conferences held in Elgin. He was always on hand with friendly advice and will be greatly missed. Professor Nigel Trewin with members of the Highland Geological Society on an excursion to Helmsdale in Many boxes of rocks and fossils have been explored and catalogued with volunteer Matthew gaining much experience in museum work. We ve also gained 2 new recruits, Natalie and Steve Storey who are helping to produce neat (and legible!) MDA cards relating to our collection. Getting away from the museum, we had a day on Burghead beach in September trying to plot the position of tank traps that, over the years, have been slowly buried by encroaching sand dunes. It was more difficult than we d imagined with Davie Milne s chimney sweep poles not quite up to the job! There are areas where the traps have been left high and dry by sand erosion and other stretches where the sand has won over; all very interesting and showing how the coastal changes in our area are much more active than we might imagine. We had two PhD students visit the museum to look at our Staganolepis robertsonii reptile fossils, Dawid Drozdz from Poland and Voltaire Neto from Brazil, and both were highly impressed with the museum and our fossil collection. Dawid, over a week, took a large number of photographs to enable him to study the fossils in 3D on his computer back in Warsaw. Dave took him to see the old quarries where the crocodilian-like animals had been found. It was an evening of torrential rain but I ve never seen a bigger smile than when Dawid saw these historical sites. Matthew, Alison and Dave helping Dawid to piece together a specimen of Stagonolepis robertsonii collected from Spynie Quarry in 2007 which Dawid hopes to formally describe as part of his PhD thesis. Voltaire photographing some of the specimens displayed in the gallery; the collection includes fossils which were first described by Thomas Huxley in 1859 and which Voltaire will compare with finds from South America.

11 Nearer the coast, Spynie quarry is back working and Clashach quarry might start quarrying again very soon, if planning permission is granted for an extension to the site. Both quarries are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and have an important part to play in our fossil heritage. Scottish National Heritage already has a formal agreement in place with Tennant, the quarry operator, for Clashach and they hope to implement a similar protocol for Spynie. If fresh rock will be exposed, it would also be useful for the workers on the ground to have some idea of what fossil material might look like. To start the ball rolling, the group joined representatives from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), National Museums Scotland (NMS) and the University of Aberdeen to visit both sites and to find out from Gavin Tennant the scope of the work planned. Although it turned out be a bitterly cold day, significant progress was made and we all felt better prepared for what, hopefully, might turn out to be an interesting next few years for our quarries. Bob Davidson (University of Aberdeen), Elsa Panciroli (NMS), Alison, Jennifer Heatley (SNH), Gavin Tennant, Nick Fraser (NMS), and Dave braving the cold at Spynie Quarry. Dave Longstaff, Elgin Museum Geology group VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED There are currently some essential Museum tasks that need to be picked up by volunteers willing to undertake a regular commitment and join the rest of the workers behind the scenes. For all these roles, training will be given. For Accreditation (essentially our registration with Museums Galleries Scotland, requiring us to comply with their standards), volunteers with specific tasks are required to have signed an agreement outlining the tasks involved. We do need to spread the load and more deeply engage new volunteers in the running of the Museum it is unlikely that we will be able to afford to employ a curator/manager and this is the only way to keep the show on the road. 1. Cashier weekly banking of cash, including from the donations boxes, recording of monies. 2. Buildings volunteer includes regular overview of the inside and outside of the building. eg internally: decoration, light bulbs, repairs, and heating, and externally: gutters, repairs. An ability to change a lightbulb and carry out very minor repairs an advantage, but the role more involves identifying work needed and arranging contractors in consultation with EMMC. An understanding of Health and Safety essential. 3. Environmental controls the Museum galleries and stores have to be controlled between certain parameters for temperature, humidity and light. There are monitoring devices humbugs - which need to be downloaded onto the computer and the results monitored to see they are satisfactory. There are dehumidifiers that require monitoring for effective working.

12 4. Emergency planning with Health and Safety review, coordination, dissemination and training relating to the existing Emergency Plan and Healtha and Safety Policy and Procedures. Updating the emergency services with contacts, Museum orientation and our procedures. Audit of the emergency equipment and ensuring contents, lists and locations are kept in date. Janet Trythall Treasure Trove This is the means by which the Museum receives all sorts of significant, sometimes shiny, archaeological objects on display in our Museum to our delight and that of our visitors. However, the Unit administering the scheme for the Queen s and Lord Treasurer s Remembrancer has been increasingly falling behind with processing, until it appears to have reached gridlock. In support of the Treasure Trove system and its overworked staff, the Moray Society Board has proposed that our members are apprised of the situation, and a suggested letter to our Parliamentary representative will be sent to all members with this newsletter. It can be adapted or shortened to your own expression of support for the system. It is no use just moaning among ourselves! Janet Trythall Elgin Museum s Year of History Heritage & Archaeology We ve had a busy time since the last newsletter, with events ranging from Egyptian pyramid building to our archaeology conference the keynote event for the year and there are still more events to come! At the end of August, we hosted a guided walking tour of Aberlour, with fascinating insights into the architecture and history of the town provided by local architect Andrew Wright the weather was typical of a Scottish summer but the event was well attended and generated much discussion on the day. Visits to Aberlour and Duffus Castle In September we travelled back in time to the medieval period as we toured Duffus Castle. Thanks to David Weinczok, The Castle Hunter the castle s history and inhabitants were brought to life, while Mike Pendery, District Architect for Historic Environment Scotland, shared some of the challenges of managing this much-loved historic site. Sadly, we were once again plagued by rain but persevered with the tour nonetheless! The

13 Museum was also open for this year s Door s Open Days, and we held a special event, open to all ages, to try their hand at a variety of architectural paper crafts the room was filled with Eiffel Towers, Roundhouses and Pyramids! During October, we had three jam-packed family friendly event, first creating Ogham inscribed pendants before we moved further afield with a morning of Ancient Egyptian themed activities. At the end of October, we welcomed a myriad of ghosts & ghouls for our Late Night Spooktacular as we celebrated the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. We opened November with our keynote event of the year, our archaeology conference: Forgotten, Hidden & Lost unearthing Moray s archaeology. The event was a great success with wonderful insights on the region s archaeology and heritage, culminating in a lively group discussion. The audience heard first about the hidden side of archaeology in Moray from archaeological contractors working on building developments including the extensive prehistoric settlement uncovered at Grantown Road, Forres, recent excavations at Macallan distillery which uncovered post-medieval activity, and the fascinating prehistoric cemetery discovered during works at Lesmurdie on the edge of Elgin. Next was Prof Leif Iskasen revealing details of the recently rediscovered lost hillfort at Cluny Hill, Forres, an update from Dr Gordon Noble on the Northern Picts project, and a thought provoking consideration of the Iron Age in Moray through its artefacts from Dr Fraser Hunter. The last session of the day took us from Prehistoric Pyromaniacs through the impact of World War II on the Lossie Forest, the prominence of iron working in Iron Age Moray ending with Underworld Encounters in the Covesea Caves. We are grateful to all who attended, to the staff of the Alexander Graham Bell Centre at Moray UHI, and to our sponsors and supporters: Heritage Lottery Fund, Event Scotland, Glen Moray and Walkers. A publication of the proceedings of the conference is currently in progress, more details will be circulated to conference attendees and Moray Society members once it is available. Conference speakers face questions at the end of the day The following day, with thanks to Historic Environment Scotland, we were able to offer a guided insight tour of Elgin Cathedral many hardy souls braved the cold to hear from experts about the carved stones and medieval stained glass from the Cathedral, as well as the Elgin Pillar Pictish stone.

14 Cathedral visit This was followed in the afternoon by Elgin s Hidden Treasures a guided walking tour of Elgin s architectural and archaeological heritage from Museum stalwarts Mary Byatt and Claire Herbert. Elgin Walking Tour November concluded with a walking tour from another familiar face at the Museum. Local historian Morag MacDonald s walk On the Urban Trail of the Trades in Elgin brought events and local characters to life as we learnt about the important role of the Incorporated Trades in Elgin.

15 Still to come, in December, is a guided tour of the heritage of Burghead (sorry the event is already sold out!) and an archaeological finds illustration workshop on Saturday 16 th December two sessions are offered, in the morning and afternoon. The event is free but places are limited and must be booked in advance if you would like to reserve a place please Claire Herbert at elginmuseumevents@gmail.com As this is the last newsletter of 2017, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to to all who have attended, delivered and helped out at our many events and activities through this Year of History, Heritage & Archaeology too numerous to name, but all have helped make 2017 a wonderful celebration of the region s heritage. Claire Herbert, Museum Volunteer, Moray Society Board Member, YHHA Project Co-ordinator Our ex curator, Susan Bennett was a welcome visitor in November to give a talk on Women of Moray involved in the Health Service before the NHS Days out and other fun filled frolics October and November have been fairly full-on for events at the museum, and as one who spent a lot of time here over the years (the last few have been busy elsewhere) it was with pleasure that I got to be involved again on several different things. Firstly, at the Museum Conference on Saturday 4 th October, working alongside familiar faces on the archaeology stand, then as a microphone person (unfortunately with a faulty microphone that kept cutting out) which was slightly embarrassing- apologies to those who were getting frustrated at not being heard when asking their questions to the speakers, and Sunday s fun was object handling. This meant getting up early after enjoying a convivial evening with speakers and volunteers on Saturday night...however, it was worth it as the objects were well handled and we had a final number of 32 people who came along to see what we had for them to interact with. Overall, the weekend was fantastic, well done to Janet and Claire for organising it. On Wednesday November 15 th, I got up even earlier and joined Heather Townsend on a trip to the NMS for the workshop on Introduction to Early Medieval Scotland. Hosted by Dr Martin Goldberg and Dr Hazel Williamson, it was an informative and productive day, which left me thinking about changes that need to be made to some object descriptions from Early Historic, a term used in the museum, to Early Medieval instead. We got to see the Scotland s Early Silver Exhibition where we met Dr Alice Blackwell from the Glenmorangie Research Project. It was a great day out and Heather and I took the opportunity to go back to the exhibition later and take some photos. If you get the opportunity to go and see it, make it top of the list, it was excellent.

16 Scotland s Early Silver Exhibition items One other thing I was asked to participate in, was to lead a walk as part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 (YHHA). I said yes immediately as the Incorporated Trades were a project I worked on as part of my paid employment with the museum, and their history is an important part of the history of Elgin. I titled it On the Urban Trail of the Trades in Elgin. got a new title for myself, Historian and a fancy hi-viz vest and on Sunday 19 th November, a bitterly cold, but bright day, we set off to follow in the footsteps of the people involved in the Trades illustrious past. We went over our time a wee bit but most stayed the distance, discovering things and skylines they hadn t noticed before. It pays to look up as there is often something of interest to see, either on the facades of buildings or the buildings themselves. It was however, too cold to be standing around for long, and I truly appreciate the time people took to come on the walk and discuss what the Incorporated Trades meant to the town of Elgin.. On the Urban Trail... Morag MacDonald Moray Society Prize Draw The Prize Draw has now been running for fifteen years and during that time has raised over 15,000 for the Moray Society. This total includes donations submitted through the Prize Draw fund but does not take into account any further income accrued from Gift Aid generated by eligible donations. This has been of considerable benefit to our daily running expenses and continues to be so, given the huge inflationary price rises on all our utility bills The price of the tickets remains unchanged and at present there are 85 tickets in circulation at 10 each. These are all eligible for the 12 prizes during their lifetime (1 year/4 draws with 3 prizes each).

17 Even if you are not attracted by those odds, remember that you are still helping the Society by purchasing one or more tickets in the sure knowledge that the only winner can be the Society itself. All income generated by the draw goes directly into Moray Society funds apart from the prize money paid to the lucky winners. Please address any questions or applications to me at the Museum (or or tel ) Moray Society Prize Draw Please allocate me... tickets in the Moray Society Prize each. *I enclose my payment of... *Please forward me a standing order mandate Name... Address.. Post Code... *please delete if inappropriate Please address any questions or applications to me at the Museum (or tel ). Ritchie Mabon Prize Draw Co-ordinator As part of our Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology programme of events we have two training events coming up which we would like to give you the opportunity to sign up to before the events are advertised to the general public. Places at both of these events are limited, but free, and must be booked in advance through the Museum. If you would like to book a place at the event on the 16th December, please state whether you wish to attend the morning or afternoon session. Saturday 2nd December 1.30pm pm (Free) Archaeological Building Recording: a brief introduction to features and terminology Do you know your thackstanes from your hopperheads and your quoins from your skewputts? If not, come along to this introductory session with Museum volunteer Claire Herbert to find out more about some of the architectural features which can be seen on Elgin's historic buildings.

18 Saturday 16th December 10.00am pm OR 2.00pm pm Archaeological Small Finds Illustration Workshop Join freelance Archaeological Illustrator Thomas Small, MCIfA, for this finds illustration workshop to learn more about the principles of pottery and small finds illustration complete with practical exercises. Thomas has produced small finds illustrations for the National Trust for Scotland, educational material for the Forestry Commission Scotlandand academic illustrations for Edinburgh University alongside many other organisations, as well as delivering illustration workshop to archaeology students and those with an amateur interest and producing the BAJR Guide to Archaeological Illustration. (see a sample image below) Watch out during 2018 for activities in the Museum for the upcoming theme next year. A Christmas gift suggestion As you can see from the newsletter, there are lots of activities happening for members of the Moray Society. Why not share this by giving a gift membership for Christmas? All you have to do is fill in a standing order (page 19) and send it to The Membership Secretary, Elgin Museum, 1 High St., Elgin. IV30 1EQ. Membership rates are 25 for a single membership and 40 for a family of up to two adults and three children.

19 GIFT MEMBERSHIP I would like to apply for membership for the undernoted. The membership secretary will send a membership pack to the recipient after Christmas and will send an acknowledgement to the subscriber. Below are my bank details. The membership is in favour of: Name... Address Post code... Recipients address... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * STANDING ORDER MANDATE To Bank (Your bank) Please set up the following Standing Order and debit my/our account accordingly Your account details Account name Account number Account holding branch Sort code Payee details Organisation you are paying: Payment reference (to be completed by Moray Society) The Moray Society Bank of Scotland, Elgin Sort code Account No About the payment Payments to be made annually Date and amount of first payment Date_1 st January 2018 (allow 3 working days for receipt) 4. Confirmation Customer signature(s) Date

20 Diary Dates Saturday2 nd December, 2017: Young Marvels Victorian Christmas, Craft session for all junior members (accompanied by an adult). Free event. Donations welcome. (YM Membership 1.) Friday 19 th January at 2.30 pm: Lecture. There s a Cowboy in the gairden: Buffalo Bill s Wild West in the North East - Frances Wardhaugh Friday 23 rd February at 2.30 pm: Lecture. Recent extinctions and opportunistic invaders in NE Scotland - Glenn Roberts, NESBReC Thursday 22 nd March: A Meet Elgin Museum evening. To be confirmed, depending on progress of building works! Saturday 30 th March: reopening of Elgin Museum for the season. TBC, but will be preceded by two welcoming sessions for volunteers, new and returning. Friday 27 th April Moray Society AGM at 6.30 pm followed by a public lecture by Pinny Neill, architect with LDN, about the Museum building works and the Elgin CARS project Date TBA. Rescheduling of the Treasure Trove Unit visit by Stuart Campbell, his lecture and identification session. For more events, walks, family activities, and learning opportunities: keep an eye on our web site, facebook and twitter, and in Town and Country under Elgin in The Northern Scot. 1 High Street, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1EQ Tel: curator@elginmuseum.org.uk ELGIN MUSEUM Scotland s oldest independent Museum Established 1836 The Moray Society: Company No Charity No